Buttimer welcomes appointment of Co. Cork VEC as patron of new Carrigaline school

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn TD, that Co. Cork VEC has been selected as the patron for the new Gaelcholáiste to be provided in Carrigaline.

“This new secondary school will help to accommodate the growing school-going population in Cork city, and will greatly contribute to educational provision along with other schools in the wider area. The new school is due to be established in 2014.

“Today’s announcement is the result of a process which began just over a year ago, when Minister Quinn set up an independent advisory group to consider the patronage options for 20 new post-primary schools to be established across the country by 2017.

“Co. Cork VEC had to provide details of parental demand, as well as meeting a range of criteria, when applying to become patron of the new school. This process is designed to ensure that, as new schools are developed, we take into account the views and desires of parents on what sort of education they want for their children.

“The local VEC has a very strong track record in providing the highest level of education to post-primary students across Cork, and I am delighted that it has been chosen as the patron on the new school in Carrigaline. As a Gaelcholáiste, the new school will cater for the strong demand for Irish-language education in the area.

“Officials from the Department of Education will be getting in touch with the VEC in the coming weeks to discuss the logistics of the establishment of the new school. I hope the project can proceed without delay and that the new Carrigaline Gaelcholáiste can be established as planned in 2014.”